:: a whisper from the crowd:: American Heiress.
Who said that? Well…ok, how about American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin? It looks interesting but not strenuous, historical without being weighed down by lots of factual stuff, a little mysterious, a bit romantic, maybe? I don’t know if I’ll like it, but I am willing to try it! What do you say, club?

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley: has anyone read this? I’m putting it on my wish list; should I add it to consider for our next book here?? Or have we got enough choices for now? Well… Here’s a review from a reader on Amazon: This is not a gothic, time travel or a torrid romance. It is a flawlessly crafted novel set in two time periods with a romantic relationship in each. From the first page, I was immersed in the story. Kearsley’s sense of place is evocative; I was with the characters in sight, sound and even smell.

Her characters became real to me. In the present day, Carrie is a wonderful protagonist; smart and independent, as is Sophie in the past. Surrounded by a strong group of supporting characters, I felt I could sit down and have a chat with any of them. The plot is so well done and flows beautifully between the two time periods.

If we decide to go with this one the book is available on half.com for $1.49 and my local library has it also. It seems that there’s another book with the same title by a different author, so make sure it’s by by Daisy Goodwin.

Good morning, Steepsters! (Morning here on the west coast) Yssah, hi there! :) Tuesdays with Morris is a lovely book; I read it many years ago. Good idea to consider books outside novels. If it were just me, I’m torn between reading The American Heiress and The Winter Sea. I have ordered both! I honestly do not mean to dither, nor dally; it’s just hard to choose! If I had to vote right now I’d go for The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin, just because I’m on such a Downton obsession kick but The Winter Sea would be next on my nightstand! Regardless, I am truly happy with any book you all vote upon. I’m just so pleased this book club is up, running and continuing!

I’m torn between “The Winter Sea” and “American Heiress”…
“Death by Darjeeling” also sounds good – seems like a lighter fare after what we have just been through (Right, Terri?)
I’m mentioning it in case somebody is counting votes…
But I’ll gladly go with what the Club members decide.

Looks like folks are mulling over: The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin, The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley and Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs. Let’s wait for Josie and think about voting. I won’t suggest any more books, k? : P

SO, I just perused Amazon, & came up with a few interesting books. Now I know we’re pretty much settled on either the American Heiress or Winter Sea, & either one is fine, along with Death by Darjeeling (which sounds like fun). So these listings that I culled from Amazon are for some future month’s consideration, but I want to list them now, so I won’t forget!! Here they are:
“The Tea Goddess” by Dekker Dreyer (a free download right now, BTW. I went ahead & nabbed it)
“The Long Dark-Tea Time of the Soul” coming out in February…might be interesting, by Douglas Adams
“Tea with Emma” the Teacup Novellas book 1 by Diane Moody
“The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey
“Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa See

Like I said, I’m just tossing them out here for some future possibilities!

Good question! I felt connection and sympathy with each character because Tolstoy was so genius at describing their inner landscapes. Levin and Kitty felt like people I’d be good friends with: they seemed to each find his/her way and then fall in love so deeply and realistically together. The details about the wedding, and before that, their courtship, and then their quarreling in the early months of marriage— all so true to life and endearing. How about you?

I agree, Tolstoy seemed to have & relate a good sense of the real thoughts & feelings of each character so well. My favorite character was Levin, because I enjoyed his thought processes & philosophies.

i relate to all their weaknesses: that of Dolly and her husband, and Kitty and Levine, and Ana! honestly, i am afraid to marry and risk being betrayed but as good as i believe myself to be, i am even more dreadly afraid that i might be unfaithful myself! (heaven forbid)

so I know I’m arriving a little late to the party, I’m planning on finally picking up Anna Karenina myself [I wish I’d been here and seen this back in november when it started] I attempted it over the summer but couldn’t get past the first chapter or so. Anyway I’ve downloaded a version to my phone for reading, would it be possible to get a sample of the ROT Anna Karenina?

Hi there! Just wondering if you’d like to help choose the new book for our second book club tea tasting and participate? If you look above, we are trying to decide on a book, such as The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin. If you are on fire to read Anna Karenina, I understand, though! : )

Anyone heard of the new book that apparently came out on the 29th called The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd? Apparently there’s a tea that goes with it called “Sweet Madness”, but I was unable to find the tea for sale. :( There’s even a picture on the teabag of the front cover of the book.

Ok, it seems like the majority are voting for The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin. I will start a new discussion thread for this book. Feel free to continue discussing Anna K here. We can refer back to this thread in March when we are choosing the next book. :)

….and guess what JUST arrived in the mail? The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin. I am looking forward to starting it, hopefully this weekend. Looking forward to discussing what tea(s) will pair nicely with this novel.